Rep. Susan Donovan

Maddy summaryHB 5473 proposes a change to the state's personal income tax structure. It introduces an additional 3% tax rate on taxable income that exceeds $625,000, as indexed to 2025 dollars. This new tax provision would apply to tax years beginning in 2026 and thereafter, and it would not be applied retroactively to previous tax years.

Maddy summaryHouse Resolution 6293 proclaims May 1, 2025, as "Child Care Awareness Day" in the State of Rhode Island. This resolution encourages the citizens of Rhode Island to recognize the skills and dedication of child care providers and highlights the importance of high-quality child care for children and families.

Maddy summaryHB 5280, the "Higher Education Opportunities for Students with Intellectual Disabilities Act," aims to provide inclusive educational opportunities at state colleges and universities for students aged 18-21 with severe intellectual disabilities, autism spectrum disorders, or other severe developmental disabilities who receive special education services. The bill allows these students to participate in credit or non-credit courses, internships, and campus life without requiring a high school diploma or college entrance exams. Their participation is considered an approved special education service and a form of secondary school education, covered if addressed in their Individualized Education Program. While state institutions can set selection guidelines, they cannot deny opportunities solely based on disability, and they are not required to fund individual supports beyond typical provisions.

Requires grocery stores to specifically limit the number of self-service checkout units to six (6) units per location. The consumer protection unit of the department of attorney general would have authority to enforce these restrictions.

Increases individual, group, and Medicaid insurance rates of reimbursement for ambulance and wheelchair van services to be equal to reimbursement rates provided by Medicare for the same medical services.

Maddy summaryHB 5201 amends the "Education Equity and Property Tax Relief Act" to ensure full state funding for certain transportation costs. Specifically, it mandates that, starting with the fiscal year 2026 budget, the state will fully fund transportation categorical funds between the state and regional school districts. This aims to provide complete state coverage for these specific transportation expenses for regional school districts. The act also outlines state funding for other categorical programs, such as excess costs for special education, career and technical education, and pre-kindergarten programs.

Establishes a statewide “Healthy School Meals for all” universal school breakfast and lunch program in Rhode Island public schools phased in over 3 years.

Increases the state’s regionalization bonus to six percent (6%) of the state’s fiscal year share of foundation education aid. This bonus would be ongoing and continuing so long as the district remains a regional school district.

Maddy summaryHouse Resolution 6261 is a commemorative resolution from the Rhode Island House of Representatives. It honors and congratulates Evan Smith on his retirement as President and CEO of Discover Newport, acknowledging his more than 40 years of contributions to the travel industry and the economic development of Newport and Bristol counties. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to transmit a copy to Mr. Smith.

Maddy summaryHB 5194 seeks to provide property tax relief to elderly and disabled persons who own or rent their homes. The bill increases the maximum income threshold for eligibility for property tax credits to $50,000. It also raises the maximum available tax credit to $850 for tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2026. Furthermore, the bill introduces annual adjustments to both the income range and the maximum credit based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI-U).